Funds run out for local safe room rebate programs

Link to application included at bottom of story

According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, funds have run out for local safe room rebate programs.

Some local emergency managers have applied to provide rebates for residents in their cities. However, those rebate programs will have to wait for funding to become available.

The programs typically work like a lottery. Those who are interested in buying a storm shelter can register and then winners are picked every year.

Those who win typically have to wait until they are told they can get a shelter installed.

The rebate programs can cover costs up to 75 percent or up to $2,000.

Blake Lee is an employee of F5 Storm Shelters in northwest Oklahoma City. He said the programs sound great initially, but he has spoken to many customers who get frustrated.

"We’ve heard it from people that are waiting to get funding and they want the shelter now for storm season, obviously, and I feel bad for them," said Blake Lee.

The wait time may get even longer if funds are not available.

Keli Cain with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said funds will become available when a federal disaster is declared in Oklahoma.

About 15 cents of every dollar from disaster funding is allocated to mitigation projects, which include safe room rebate programs and also weather radio programs.

"We’ve had so many projects, in fact, that between that and seeing less disasters in the last couple years, we’ve actually depleted a lot of those funds that we had available," said Cain.

There is still a state safe room rebate program that has funding available. Those who are interested can apply online through this website for next year’s drawing.

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